DRINK & DRUGS NEWS :: Q&A

You ask the questions - you answer the questions. Please keep your answers coming, and feel free to email a new question.

Thanks to this issue's respondents for their contributions.

Question:

There's a group of kids on my estate who I'm convinced are trying to deal drugs to my son. Who should I go to for help? They're very intimidating and I'm frightened of the repercussions, but more than anything I'm worried for my son. [Kathy, by email]

Your replies...

Dear Kathy

I thought I would ask the government's well publicised 'Talk to Frank' website about your dilemma at www.talktofrank.com. This was their offering:

'FRANK understands this is a worrying time for you. You may benefit from an in-depth confidential chat with an advisor about your concerns. Please feel free to phone the helpline to discuss your concerns with an advisor. The helpline is confidential and available 24 hours, seven days a week.

You may wish to search for free local help via the following link : www.talktofrank.com/multimap.aspx?id=278

If you want to know any more, or would like to talk to one of our advisors about this, call 0800 77 66 00 and tell them you've been asked to ring for more information. Alternatively, you can get more information at www.talktofrank.com

Hope to talk to you again soon.' FRANK

I have to say I was disappointed at the standard automated response, but I'm passing it on in case you want to call them or follow the local link.

Good luck

Caitlyn, Stirling

Dear Kathy

I can understand your concern for your son but you have to be very careful about jumping to any conclusions. You say that you find these kids intimidating but you don't say in what way they are intimidating you. Is it possible that it is a generation thing? Remember in the 1960s older people found hippies and lads with mop top haircuts intimidating!

You also say that you are convinced they are trying to deal drugs to your son, have you spoken to him about this? You seem to be implying that he has no choice in the matter when he obviously does; he has the ability to say no! The problem seems to be not with the kids on the estate but with the lack of communication between you and your son. He probably has a far better understanding of the situation than you give him credit for. Talk to him, he may surprise you.

Good luck

Jeremy, via email

Dear Kathy

I appreciate your dilemma; groups of young people hanging around can be intimidating even if they don't mean to be. I'm sure that hanging about on the estate is not their ideal thing to be doing but it is usually caused by boredom and a perception that there are no alternatives, and often lead to drug taking.

Have a look at what schemes and opportunities there are for young people in your area and maybe get involved in the running of one of them. If there aren't any maybe you could get together with some of the other residents and start one!

You have the power to take action in your area and be part of the solution. If you get involved and interact, and get to know these kids as people, you might no longer find them intimidating.

Raj, Milton Keynes

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